The Honourable Steve Crocker, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation, today announced $700,000 in support of musical initiatives for the Year of the Arts.
Minister Crocker was joined at the announcement by Kellie Walsh, Andrea Rose, Ki Adams and David Buley, artistic directors of HarbourVOICES International Choral Festival; Rhonda Tulk-Lane, Chief Executive Officer of MusicNL; and Julie Vogt, Executive Director of the Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Arts Society.
HarbourVOICES!, a brand new, home-grown international choral festival, will receive funding for development this year. The festival will bring choirs from around the world to Newfoundland and Labrador, and will take place from June 29 to July 4, 2024.
MusicNL will receive funding this year to continue to offer special programs aimed at enhancing music and supporting musicians in this province. MusicNL’s work began this summer when it offered an Enhanced Artist Development Program, the Community Presenter’s Program and a Micro Music Grant for Small Businesses, all supported by the Provincial Government.
The Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Arts Society will be provided with funding to incorporate new and enhanced youth engagement initiatives. These events will take place across Newfoundland and in parts of Labrador in 2024.
This funding will be provided in 2023 to enable MusicNL, HarbourVOICES and the Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Arts Society to advance progress in time for presentation in 2024.
In May 2023, the Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, announced that 2024 will be the Year of the Arts in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Quotes
“The Year of The Arts 2024 will be a celebration of Newfoundland and Labrador’s rich and vibrant arts and cultural sector. And what would a year of celebration be without music? I am so proud today to announce this funding for MusicNL, HarbourVOICES and the Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Arts Society. I am confident that this funding will result in amazing musical experiences, but I am equally pleased that the funding will directly support musicians in this province.”
Honourable Steve Crocker
Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation
“We are so grateful to the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and Celebrate NL for their continued support of the music sector. This summer we supported hundreds of community groups and small businesses to hire musicians and celebrate great music all across our province. We look forward to making more musical contributions for the Year of the Arts!”
Rhonda Tulk-Lane
MusicNL
“As we welcome the world to Newfoundland and Labrador for the Year of the Arts in 2024, HarbourVOICES! is grateful to the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and Celebrate NL for their support of our choral and arts community. The HarbourVOICES! team, consisting of The Singing Network, Shallaway Youth Choir, Music NL and Celebrate NL, are preparing to host an innovative week of choral events including a roster of International, Canadian, and Newfoundland & Labrador singing groups/choirs to this ancient and beautiful land for a celebration of diverse singing traditions from around the globe. This unique festival will provide spaces for collaboration, reciprocal learning, and diversity through the sharing and authentic experiencing of varied musical traditions and cultures.”
Angela Warren
HarbourVOICES! International Choral Festival
“In this Year of the Arts, we are thrilled to have provincial support to expand our youth initiatives across the island of Newfoundland and into Labrador. Training, mentoring, and providing young artists with performance opportunities is a cornerstone of the Folk Arts Society mandate. We’re looking forward to seeing our folk arts traditions through their eyes.”
Julie Vogt
Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Arts Society
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HarbourVOICES
Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Arts Society
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